Rubber-tired wheel.



No. 696,688. Patented Apr. I, |9021.

I B. MULHOLLAND. RUBBER TIRED WHEEL.

(Application filed Aug. 26, 1901.) (N0 MOEL) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

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. DD PNOY UTNO.. WASHINGTON, Dv C.

Patented Apr. I, |902. R. MULHOLLAND.

RUBBER TIRED WHEEL.

(Application filed Aug. 26, 1901.1

3 Sheets-Shee 2.

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(No Model.)

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Fig 6 l? if? No. 696,666. 6 Patented Apr. l, |902'.

Y R. MuLHoLLANn.

RUBBER TIRED WHEEL.

(Application led Aug. 26, 1901.)

f a l Nrrnn RICHARD MULHOLLAND, OF DUNKIRK, NEW YORK.

RUBBER-TIRED WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,688, dated April 1,1902.

Application led August 26, lig-O1. Serial No. 73,272. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LRICHARD MULHOLLAND, a citizen of the United States,residing at D unkirk, in the county of Chautauqua. and State of NewYork, have invented a certain new and usefullmproved Rubber-TiredlVheel, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved means for securing a tire ofrubber or other material to a wheel.

Heretofore different forms of elastic or rubber tires have been providedwith wires or bands extending longitudinally through them, and the samehave been secured to the wheel or in the metal rim of the wheel bycompressing the rubber longitudinally and drawing the wires or bandstogether under tension and uniting them eitherby welding,brazing,orlapping at the joint. This method is found to be expensive and requiresexpert experience to properly weld or braze the bands or wires at thejoint. Another defect in the present method is that the lapping orweldin g of the bands or wires adds to the thickness of the band orwire, and the cavity in the rubber tire being only made sufficientlylarge to receive the thickness of the band the lap does not permit afree entrance or passage through the rubber. The result is that theretaining bands or wires being rigidly held at one end of the rubbertire where it forms a butt-joint and being comparatively loose at theother end the tire is permitted to slip around through theretaining-band and channel-rim at the side where it is loose andcompresses the tire around the side which is tight, which results in anopening or parting of the tire at the joined ends. Still another defectis that the retaining wires or bands cut through or wear enlargedcavities through the tire, permitting the tire to become loose and thewearing out of the tire by creeping or longitudinally sliding in thechannel-rim, thus making an imperfect uneVenly-arranged tire.

The object of my invention is to obviate these objections and to securethe rubber or other tire to the wheel by simple and easilyassembledmeans, thereby doing away with the necessity of welding, brazng, orlapping of the joints of the retaining band or Wires.

The further object of my invention is to entirely prevent the creeping`or longitudinal and No. 646,751, April 3, 1900, as more fully explainedhereinafterin detail, and particularly pointed out in the claims,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which embodimentsof my invention are shown.

Figure 1 represents a fragmentary View of a wheel, partially in section,having a tire secured thereto by my improved means. Fig. 2 is anenlarged fragmentary section having the fragments of the parts slightlyseparated to show the manner of introducing and securing locking-boltsin place. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through a felly, rim, tire, andretaining-band constructed in accordance with one form of my inventionon line Z) Z9, Fig. 4, also showing a side View of a locking-bolt with asection through the head of the bolt. Fig. 4 is a fragmentarylongitudinal section on line a ct, Fig. 3, the tire ends being separatedfrom each other to illustrate the manner of longitudinally compressingthe tire, also showing one manner of uniting the ends of theretaining-band. Fig. `5 is a detached top plan view of a fragment ofonev form of the retaining-band. Fig. 6 is a detached top plan view ofone form of lockingbolt. Fig. 7 is a detached bottom plan view of afragment of the retaining-band shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a detachedtransverse section through the tire on line c c, Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is afragmentary longitudinal section through the tire on line d d, Fig. 8.Fig. l0 is a transverse section through another form of my invention online e e, Fig. 11. Fig. l1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section on lineff, Fig. lO. Fig. l2 is a top plan View of a fragment of theretaining-band employed in the form shown in Figs. l0 and ll.- Fig. 13is a top plan View of the locking-bolt used in the form shown in Figs.l0 and l1. Fig. 14 is a top plan View of a fragment of the re;

taining-band with a supplementary locking-V bolt in position.l Fig. l5is a transverse scc# IOO flush in the groove.

tion on line g g, Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a fragmentary bottom view of thetire employed in the form shown in Figs. 10 and 11. Fig. 17 is adetached side View of one form ot' locking-bolt having an oblong head.

In referring to the drawings for the details of construction likenumerals designate like parts.

The felly 1 is formed in the usual man ner and has a series of. spokes 2at intervals. A rim 3, of any suitable metal, is superimposed -upon thefelly and has an interior longitudinal channel or groove 4. This rim issecured to the felly by bolts or other fastenings arranged at intervals.

The tire 5 in what I style the preferred form of my invention is formedsubstantially as shown in Fig. 3 and has an interior opening 6, whichextends longitudinally throughout its length and is of an angular orcurved form in cross-section or substantially in the form of anelongated C or U. The retaining-band 7, which is inserted in the openingin the tire, is of substantially the same angular or curved form incross-section as the opening. (See Fig. 3.) The ends of theretainingband are locked together in their abut-ting position bysecuring 'the elongated head 8 of the bolt 9 inthe groove in theretaining-band by screws or rivets or other fastenings, the bolt-headthereby forming a locking-link between the band ends which fits In thepreferred form this is done after the tire is longitudinally compressed,as will be more fully hereinafter explained, and the bolt-head issecured in the channel or groove in the retaining-band by Vscrews 10,which pass through countersunk openings 11 in the band into thebolt-head openings 12. The retaining-band may also be secured to thetelly and rim at intervals by bolts or other fastenings. One form ofthese fastenings is shown in Fig. 2, in which a screw-bar 13 hasscrew-threads at its opposite ends, one end being inserted in openingsin the felly, tire, and rim and screwed into the retaining-band. Alock-nut 14 is then screwed upon the opposite projecting end of the bar13, and the band, tire, rim, and felly are drawn together. The barisalso provided with an intermediate screw -nut 15, which forms a shoulderto support the band, a space 16 being cutin the tire to receive the nut.

In assembling this form of my invention the channeled rim 3 issuperimposed. upon and secured to the fellyvot' the wheel, the length otthe tire necessary to go around the wheel 'and allow for properlongitudinal compression is determined, and the tongue part 17, whichextends into the channel or'groove of the retaining-band, is cut out fora short distance kat each end to form a'space 18, as shown in Fig. 4, toreceive the elongated bolthead. The tire is longitudinally compressed byany well-known means and is held in its compressed condition by suitableclamps. The ends of the tire when clamped in comeees pressed conditionare separated, as shown in Fig. 4, so that the flat elongated head 8 ofthe locking-bolt 9 can be tted in the groove in the retaining-band andsecured in place by the screws 10, as before stated. The bolthead S isof substantially the same shape and thickness as the groovein theretaining-band, so that the under part of the head of the bolt stands atabout the same height from the bottom of the rim as the thickness of therubber tire under the groove in the metal channel. The ends of theretaining-band are now drawn together or nearly together, therebypressing the rubber tire firmly into the channeled rim and bringing thecountersnnk openings 11 in the band into registering position above theopenings 12 in the bolt-head 8. The screws 10 are now inserted andsecured, thereby securing the bolt-head in the groove of theretaining-band. The lower ends 10TL ofthe screws 10 project beneath thelower surface of the head and embed themselves sufiicientlyin the rubberbeneath the bolt-head to prevent creeping. joint between the ends of theretaining-band which is smooth on all sides and of the same uniform sizethroughout. The clamps which hold the rubber in place are then removed,and bya proper tool the'rubber tire is drawn up at each end, so as toform a solid buttjoint. A screw-nut 18 is now placed upon the projectingscrew-threaded end 19 of the bolt-shank 9 and screwed against the felly,thereby drawing the retaining-band toward the rim and pressing theprojecting points 10 of the fastening into that portion ofthe rubberunder the retaining-band, thereby securing the tire and retaining-bandtothe rim (See Fig.-4.) This forms a solid rigid i IOO and felly oi thewheel and preventing all I IIO felly b v the screw-bars 13, fitted intoplace, as

shown in Fig. 2 and heretofore described.

In the construction shown in Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16and 17 theretaining-band, which in these iigures is indicated by the numeral 20,is formed so as to have a channel or groove in its top surface, and thelongitudinal opening 21, extending through the tire, is formed so thatthe tongue 22,of rubber, is on the top. The elongated head 8 of the bolt9 is provided with a series of countersunk openings 23, and theretaining-band a series of openings 24, which register with the openingsin the bolt-head'when the band ends are properly brought togetherbeneath the bolt-head. Rivets 25 are inserted and secured in theregistered openings, substantially as shown in Fig. 11, to secure theband and bolthead together, the tire being compressed and i ,Y Y

clamped and then released in substantially the same manner describedwith reference to the construction shown in the earlieriigures.

. 14. The bolt is then drawn firmly into place by a lock-nut 30.

The cutting away of the tongue part 17 to provide the space or pocket 18for the reception of a link or an elongated head of the bolt formsshoulders 31(s ee Fig. 9) in the interior of the tire of substantiallythe same depth as the channel in the retaining-band. The elongated headof the bolt is held, the

ends of the link or bolt-head litting against4 the shoulders. The greatadvantage of this is that the bolt-head is held firmly between elasticparts, which are under considerable longitudinal compression, and thuspress against the ends of the bolt-head, so that any infinitesimalmovement of the tire in a longitudinal direction will be absorbed by theelasticity of the material of the tire instead-of creating friction and`wear between the tire-shoulders and the ends of the bolthead. Thelongitudinal compression of the elastic tire causes the bolt-head to hegripped rigidly between the opposed shoulders, and thereby eliminatesany possibility of wear.

Without limiting myself to the precise construction or arrangement ofany or all parts shown `or conning myself to a combination of any or allof said parts, except as hereinafter particularly pointed out, I claimas my invention 1. In a vehicle-wheel, a felly, a channeled rimsuperimposed thereon, a longitudinallycompressed elastic tiresuperimposed upon and fitting into said rim, a grooved retainingbandextending longitudinally through said tire, a bolt havinga flatelongated head seating in said groove for connecting and securing theends of the retaining-band together and forming a smooth outer joint;said bolthead being held under compression between two opposed shouldersof the tire, substantially as set forth.

2. In a vehicle-Wheel, a felly, a rim on said felly, alongitudinally-compressed tire on said rim having an interiorlongitudinal opening,

va retaining-band in said opening having a channel and a bolthaving anelongated head` seatediiush inthe channel gripped longitudinally betweenshouldered parts of the tire and secured to the ends of theretaining-band, substantially as set forth.

3. In an `elastic-tire wheel, a rim, a longitudinally-compressed tire onsaid rim, a channeled retaining -band extending longitudinally throughthe interior of the tire, albolt having a `flat head fitting flush intothe chan-4 nel in the retaining-band and connecting the endsof the bandtogether whereby a smooth outer joint and band of uniform sizethroughout is obtained; the remaining space in the channel on the ends.of the fiat bolthead being filled by a tongue projecting from the tireand having shouldered endskwhich press against the ends of thebolt-head, substantially as set, forth.

t. In a vehicle-wheel, ari-im, a tire longitudinally compressed on saidrim and having an interior longitudinal opening, a retainingband in saidopening having a longitudinal.

channel in which a portion of said tire projects, said projectingportion being cut away at a certain point to leave a space and opposedshoulders, a bolthaving an elongatedhead iittingin the space formedbycutting away a portion of the rubber and gripped betweeny lthe opposedshoulders, -and devices, such as screws or rivets, securing the head ofthe two ends of the retaining-band.

5. In a vehicle-wheel, a felly, a channeled rim superimposed-thereon, alongitudinallycompressed elastic tire superimposed upon andfittingintosaid rim and having a longitudinal groove, a grooved retaining-band ofycorresponding cross section .tting in the groove in the tire and a-bolthavingan elongated head itting flush in the groove in the retaining-bandfor connecting the ends of the retaining-band together; aportion of thetire withinthe groove of the retaining-band be-` ing cut away to leave aspace for thebolthead and the end walls of said space forming shouldersbetween which the said bolt-head is held under compression,substantially as set forth. i

l 6. In a vehicle-wheel, a rim, a tire on said rim having a longitudinalangular opening wholly within its interior and a tongue eX- tending intosaid opening nearly throughout its length, a retaining-band in theopening with its lower surface against and partially -inclosingthetongue, a bolt having a head with projections extending `into theretaining-band and into the under part of the tire `for securing theends of the band and ends of the tire together; a portion ofthe saidtongue being removed for the reception of the head of the bolt, wherebythe tongue in the tire the head of the bolt and the-retaining-band isofv uniform size throughout and a ,band of smooth outer surface isattained, substantially as setforth.

7. In a vehicle-wheel, a rim, a-tire onsaid rim having a longitudinalangular opening wholly within its interior and a` tongue eX- tendinginto said opening nearly throughout its length, a retaining-bandin theopening partially inclosing the tongue, a bolt havinga Ahead withprojections .extending intothe retaining-band and into theunder part ofthe tire for securing the ends of the band and ends of the tiretogether; a portion of the said ICG IIO

tongue being removed for the reception of the head of the bolt.

8. In a vehicle-wheel, a rim, a tire on said rim having a longitudinalangular` opening 5 wholly within its interior and a tongue ex- \tendinginto said opening and cutaway at one portion only in its circumference,a substantially U or C shaped retaining-band in the opening having itslower surface against 1o and partially inclosin g the tongue, aboltpassing through the rim of the wheel and having a head extending intothe retaining-band and ttinginto the pocket formed by cutting away oneportion of the tongue; the bolt-head and tongue being of uniform widthand thickness throughout, substantially as set forth.

9. In a vehicle-wheel, a felly, a channeled rim superimposed thereon, alongitudinallycompressed elastic tire superimposed upon zo and fittinginto said rim and having a longitudinal opening and an interiorlongitudinal tongue, a grooved retaining-band extending through theopening in said tire, an elongated fastening device seating in saidgroove z5 for connecting and securing the ends of the retaining-bandtogether and forming a smooth outer joint; said fastening device beingheld under compression between two opposed shoulders of the tongue, anddevices, such as 3o screws, passing through the retaining-band andfastening device and embedding in the tire, substantially as set forth.

10. In an elastic-tire wheel, arim, atire having an interiorlongitudinal opening and a tongue extending into the opening, alongitudinally-grooved retaining-band in the opening in the tiresurrounding and partially inclosing the tongue, a bolt having anelongated head in the groove of the retaining- 4o band level with theouter edges thereof, and having projections through said band and in theunder part of the tire for securing the ends of the retaining-band andthe ends of the tire together, whereby aportion of the tongue of thetire being removed, the head of the bolt lills its place and -theretaining-band is-left smooth on its outer surface and of uniform sizethroughout, as and for the purpose specilied.

5o v11. In an elastic-tire wheel, a rim, alongitudinally-conipressedtire having an interior longitudinal opening and a tongue having aportion removed, a retaining-band in the opening in the tire having alongitudinal groove into which the tongue extends, a bolt passingthrough the rim and having an elongated head in the groove of theretainingband level with the outer edges thereof, and having projectionsthrough said band and in the under part of the tire for securing theends of the retaining-band and theends of the tire together,substantially as set forth.

12. In a vehicle-wheel, a felly, a rim on said felly, alongitudinally-compressed tire on said rim having an interiorlongitudinal opening and an interior longitudinal tongue, aretaining-band in said opening having a channel and a fastening deviceseating flush in the channel and gripped longitudinally betweenshouldered parts of the tongue; said fastening device being secured tothe ends of the retaining-band, substantially as set forth.

13. In a vehicle-wheel, a felly, a channeled rim superimposed thereon,an elastic tire superimposed upon and fitting into said rim and havingan interior longitudinal opening, a grooved retaining-band in saidopening, a fastening device fitting iiush within a portion of saidgroove for connecting and securing the ends of the retaining-bandtogether and forining a smooth outerjoint and a tongue of rubberprojecting from the tire into the groove and filling said groove withthe exception of that portion occupied by the fastening device,substantially as set forth.

14. In a vehicle-wheel, a solid rubber tire having an opening of anangular cross-section extending longitudinally through it; an anguiarhollow retaining-band fitting into said opening and havingholes near itsends for the reception of screws or rivets, a T-bolt having an elongatedhead fitting into the hollow in the retaining-band and havingcorresponding holes and screws or rivets fitting into said holes forsecuring the ends of the retainingband together and having their lower.ends projecting into the tire, as and for the purpose specified.

RICHARD MULHOLLAND.

Witnesses:

GEO. A. NEUBAUER, CHAs. PANKOW.

